New 2 panel solar array questions...

[SunEagle]

Just got back from the store, i returned the 4 batteries. Im awaiting your advice

A single 12volt battery rated 245Ah would be better then the 2 x 12v at 125Ah. Unless the cost is a lot more for the one compared to the 2.

Now with those 520 watts you are still pushing the possibility of over charging that 245Ah battery if it is a FLA type. If it is AGM then you may be ok.

The charge rate would be about a C/6 which is high but only if the panels are performing at their maximum output.

[daonlyillwiz]

Just got back from the store, i returned the 4 batteries. Im awaiting your advice

[daonlyillwiz]

If that is the case then i can return the batteries because i just bought them.

There is someone locally selling two 12v 125ah batteries. You think i should return the ones i have now and buy the ones he's selling ? If i do this will i be able to hookup both panels ?

PS: i can also buy 1 245Ah battery instead of the two 125Ah batteries for a little less. Would one battery do the job ?

[SunEagle]

I see, thanks for clarifying. My 4 batteries are 12v 35Ah.

If i go with the batteries hooked up in parallel for 12v i will go with the following inverter:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SLDDHQ/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AWZ3LXPHZK09

As for the lights, I will have a total of 3 fixtures with 2 bulbs each and the bulbs will be those cree 9.5w lightbulbs. so total consumption will be 57W and the tickle charger is rated for 20W.

With only a 12volt 140Ah battery system I would look for a smaller inverter in the 400watt range max. You loads are small so using that 1000 watt inverter will just use battery capacity even if no load is on.

With those 57watts of lights and that battery system you can probably get away with running them about 7 hours a night. If you add the trickle charger and depending on what wattage it really consumes you can run those light only about 6 hours a night.

The problem is the low Ah rating of your batteries even with 4 wired in parallel. That system gives you about 1680 watt hours total and you should not discharge your batteries more than 25% each day. So 25% of 1680 watt hours comes to about 420 wh. That gets you about 6 hours with a load of 70 watts.

I just realized your batteries can not handle a 45 amp charge. They are too small for that and will get hurt. Use only one of those 260 watt panels not both.

[Wy_White_Wolf]

Stop!!

Do not hook both panels up to those batteries with an MPPT controller. They can't the amperage.

Use only 1 panel.

WWW

[daonlyillwiz]

First off you wire those panels in series which give you 62.4 volts at 8.34 amps.

Now the reason you need a 45 amp charge controller is the CC output amps rating is based on the total wattage of your panels divided by the battery voltage. So with 520watt for a 12volt battery, that comes to 43.3 amps required on the output of the CC.

You did not provide any information on your back yard lights (wattage, voltage and hours on per night) or the motorcycle trickle charger so it is a little hard to direct you to how to wire your battery system and if it is the right size for your needs. I also did not see anywhere what your 4 x 12volt batteries are rated at in Ah or what is the wattage & voltage rating of the inverter you have to run those lights and trickle charger.

That information is needed to properly build your system.

I see, thanks for clarifying. My 4 batteries are 12v 35Ah.

If i go with the batteries hooked up in parallel for 12v i will go with the following inverter:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SLDDHQ/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AWZ3LXPHZK09

As for the lights, I will have a total of 3 fixtures with 2 bulbs each and the bulbs will be those cree 9.5w lightbulbs. so total consumption will be 57W and the tickle charger is rated for 20W.

[Wy_White_Wolf]

I was not aware of this, i initially wanted to put them in series but i thought i would be better off with them in parallel. I will be connecting them in series.

I am a little confused now though because i know that the formula for power is P=VI so if thats the case 520w=31.2*I which means I=16.67A so a 20A CC would suffice. But when we are calculating this we are calculating via the battery voltage (12v) ?

I am a total newb so please forgive me if my questions are a little dumb.

Also if you have any recommendations for me please share. As i said before ill be using this setup to power up a couple outdoor lights for my back yard (all LED) as well as a trickle charger for my motorcycle during the winter time. As i mentioned before i have 4 batteries that i currently plan on hooking up in parallel. If i should hook 2 up in series and hook up the 2 series batteries to each other in parallel to the other two i can do that as well to achieve 24v but i am not 100% sure of what the best route is for my application...

The problem is you ordered panels that were designed to be grid tied instead of charging a 12v battery. They can be used to charge a 12v battery if you use an MPPT controller.

With an PWM controller amp in equals amps out. But with an MPPT controler Amps out equals Array watts divided by battery voltage.

If all you wanted was 17 amps into the battery you should have order 2 - 100W 12v panels. You would have wired them in parrallel with a PWM controller. With the MPPT you will want to wire them in series as long as the string voltage (+ cold weather compinsation) doesn't exceed the input limit of the controller.

WWW

[SunEagle]

http://cedgreentechsd.com/wp-content...G260S1K-A3.pdf

I have two of those panels. The guy just dropped them off. I found the charge controller you recommended, want to confirm first that it will be fine with these two panels in parallel before i place the order...

I am a little confused now though because i know that the formula for power is P=VI so if thats the case 520w=31.2*I which means I=16.67A so a 20A CC would suffice. But when we are calculating this we are calculating via the battery voltage (12v) ?

I am a total newb so please forgive me if my questions are a little dumb.

Also if you have any recommendations for me please share. As i said before ill be using this setup to power up a couple outdoor lights for my back yard (all LED) as well as a trickle charger for my motorcycle during the winter time. As i mentioned before i have 4 batteries that i currently plan on hooking up in parallel. If i should hook 2 up in series and hook up the 2 series batteries to each other in parallel to the other two i can do that as well to achieve 24v but i am not 100% sure of what the best route is for my application...

First off you wire those panels in series which give you 62.4 volts at 8.34 amps.

Now the reason you need a 45 amp charge controller is the CC output amps rating is based on the total wattage of your panels divided by the battery voltage. So with 520watt for a 12volt battery, that comes to 43.3 amps required on the output of the CC.

You did not provide any information on your back yard lights (wattage, voltage and hours on per night) or the motorcycle trickle charger so it is a little hard to direct you to how to wire your battery system and if it is the right size for your needs. I also did not see anywhere what your 4 x 12volt batteries are rated at in Ah or what is the wattage & voltage rating of the inverter you have to run those lights and trickle charger.

That information is needed to properly build your system.

[daonlyillwiz]

Why do you now want to put the panels in parallel? With an MPPT CC, putting them in series will save you wiring expense and complications.

I was not aware of this, i initially wanted to put them in series but i thought i would be better off with them in parallel. I will be connecting them in series.

I am a little confused now though because i know that the formula for power is P=VI so if thats the case 520w=31.2*I which means I=16.67A so a 20A CC would suffice. But when we are calculating this we are calculating via the battery voltage (12v) ?

I am a total newb so please forgive me if my questions are a little dumb.

Also if you have any recommendations for me please share. As i said before ill be using this setup to power up a couple outdoor lights for my back yard (all LED) as well as a trickle charger for my motorcycle during the winter time. As i mentioned before i have 4 batteries that i currently plan on hooking up in parallel. If i should hook 2 up in series and hook up the 2 series batteries to each other in parallel to the other two i can do that as well to achieve 24v but i am not 100% sure of what the best route is for my application...

[inetdog]

http://cedgreentechsd.com/wp-content...G260S1K-A3.pdf

I have two of those panels. The guy just dropped them off. I found the charge controller you recommended, want to confirm first that it will be fine with these two panels in parallel before i place the order...

Why do you now want to put the panels in parallel? With an MPPT CC, putting them in series will save you wiring expense and complications.

[daonlyillwiz]

http://cedgreentechsd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/LG260S1K-A3.pdf

I have two of those panels. The guy just dropped them off. I found the charge controller you recommended, want to confirm first that it will be fine with these two panels in parallel before i place the order...

[SunEagle]

If that is the case then ill get an MPPT controller. So with the panels connected in parallel to the MPPT CC i will get roughly 520W out of the setup. Are there any CC that you recommend or would this suffice:
http://www.amazon.com/Tracer-2210RN-...rge+controller

The 520 panel wattage will require a 45 amp charge controller for a 12volt battery so that 20 amp Tracer is too small. You may want to also look at the Morningstar TS MPPT 45amp Tristar.

[Sunking]

If that is the case then ill get an MPPT controller. So with the panels connected in parallel to the MPPT CC i will get roughly 520W out of the setup. Are there any CC that you recommend or would this suffice:
http://www.amazon.com/Tracer-2210RN-...rge+controller

Complete waste of money. What battery voltage?

AGAIN MPPT Output Current = Panel Wattage / Battery Voltage.

If you have 560 watts input and a 12 volt battery will make 43 amps. Buying a cheapo 20 amp MPPT controlle ris a waste of my time and your money. You want a Morningstar TriStar 45 Amp MPPT controller if operating at 12 volt battery, or a 25 amp controller if operating at 24 volt battery.

[Sunking]

Use a MPPT controller and connect the panels in series.

With PWM Input Current = Output Current which is really bad bad bab bad news.It will turn your 520 watt panels into 17 amps x 12 volts = 200 watts.

With MPPT Input Power = Output Power, or Output Current = Panel Wattage / Battery Voltage = 520 watts / 12 volts = 43 amps. You need a minimum 45 amp MPPT controller with 150 Voc input.

[daonlyillwiz]

If that is the case then ill get an MPPT controller. So with the panels connected in parallel to the MPPT CC i will get roughly 520W out of the setup. Are there any CC that you recommend or would this suffice:

http://www.amazon.com/Tracer-2210RN-Charge-Controller-Regulator/dp/B008KWPH12/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1410284097&sr=8-3&keywords=mppt+solar+charge+controller